What You Need to Know About Highguard Spending Adjustments

Sony has begun processing automatic refunds for players who invested in extra content for the recently launched game, Highguard.

Despite being highly anticipated, Highguard debuted on January 26 with little to no engagement from its developers leading up to its release. Initial player numbers soared on Steam, nearing 100,000 concurrent users, but quickly dwindled. Developer Wildlight addressed player concerns, introducing a new 5v5 game mode to respond to feedback on the original 3v3 format. However, major layoffs hit the studio, which subsequently announced the permanent shutdown of Highguard scheduled for March 12, following a farewell update.

Players have taken to platforms to confirm they are receiving refunds automatically. One user mentioned, “I wasn’t looking for a refund. I enjoyed playing the game and wanted to support it, but those who wanted their money back are getting it.”

So far, it appears that only Sony has been proactive in refunding players, while community comments indicate that Steam and Xbox have yet to announce similar measures. The situation echoes past failures, particularly with the criticized live-service game Concord, another project that struggled to maintain player interest and was taken offline just two weeks after its release.

In reflections on the game’s development, it was noted that the intense competitive focus may have discouraged casual players, with intricate rules and objectives often intimidating new players. This complexity made gameplay feel demanding and limited accessibility for newcomers.

Another insight highlighted the negative reception from the outset, citing the project suffered due to lofty advertising claims and misunderstanding by players. Reports indicate that a major investor withdrew financial support mere weeks post-launch, further complicating the studio’s predicament.